I think Jeanne has Bourbon Janet. Strange about your issue with clematis in pots on the deck. I have several in pots on my patio and our summer drought and heat was atrocious but the clematis did just fine. All they need is adequate moisture.

I have it. It's really beautiful. It holds its color well, but mine is not in a particularly hot spot.

{{gwi:578590}}

Beautiful! Thank you for the photo. I'm really looking forward to my shipment.

Miguel, last summer was an awful year, even worse than the previous 2 years of drought. The constant heat, drought, and humidity, along with the surreal earwig infestation felt like I was living in a hell. I couldn't even get a black-eyed susan vine to flourish in a pot. My garden didn't grow much last year either; it must have been as stressed as I was.

This year is so different. The early spring days were warmish and sunny, the evenings were cool, even close to freezing some nights, and we had ample soil moisture from the snows in winter. It wasn't raining much then, but the soil was very workable once it thawed. Then it started raining and the garden exploded almost as if it was making up for lost time. Whenever I look at my garden now I am in awe at the contrast.

Regardless, no annual flowers, no cruising nurseries, and especially no pots on the deck waiting to be planted. After so much maintenance last year, I want a more relaxing summer this year.

I agree with you, last summer was one to put any garden, and gardener, to the test. I have half the number of pots on my deck as last year, have given up most of the ornamentals in pots for herbs and veggies, and have left the nurseries alone (well, not completely!)

I have my Bourbon clem in the hot, humid mid-south. It blooms early and holds its color very well. I do have it located where it gets late afternoon shade. This is its second year in the ground and I'm waiting to see if it will get its reputed rebloom. I guess you're supposed to do the "ponytail" cut on it after bloom but I'm a lazy gardener and probably won't prune until late fall or early spring.

I agree that if you keep up with the watering and mulch the roots you should be fine. The color is truly stunning and it is a keeper.
{{gwi:570374}}

I know what you mean Janet about last summer and this summer is proving to be a duplication of last year so far for us in the southeast. Way too hot and too little rain. Sure could use some of that rain from those people in the midwest. I have more of an issue keeping up the watering of stuff in the ground than I do with the ones in pots on the patio though.

Thank you linrose for you comments, the encouragement, and for the beautiful photo.

Sheesh, I always lose my 'r'.

Miguel, I feel for you. I can't imagine another year of drought and unrelenting heat. The temps here have been so mild, we had nice rains, but one county away from me had 75% of their roads under water not long ago. I am directly north of a very large inland lake that usually weakens storms, but it does the same with rain events as well.

Potting soil doesn't hold onto water like my clay soil does, so it's much easier for me to grow plants it the ground.

It's all about adapting to our environment, right?

Yes it is Janet. The last two days here have been wonderful temperature wise. Had the AC off and the windows open. The humidity has been low which is good comfortwise but bad as far as getting any precipitation. All we can do it wait it out and see what happens.

I'm glad you are having moderate temps - gardening is so much more enjoyable that way.